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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Will Freeman

When is Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk? Fight date and negotiations latest as deadline announced

Tyson Fury's fight against Oleksandr Usyk is one of the most highly anticipated clashes in recent memory, with the pair's undisputed heavyweight clash hoped to take place next month.

Fury holds the WBC heavyweight championship title, meanwhile, Usyk is the unified WBA, IBF, and WBO champion of the world. Usyk also holds the Ring Magazine title having been awarded the belt for beating Anthony Joshua last summer after Fury was stripped of the title after hinting at his retirement.

Instead of retiring, he instead chose to fight Derek Chisora, in a move which was criticised, before calling out Usyk after the contest in December. This led to negotiations beginning in January, with both camps hoping to agree on a deal to decide the first undisputed heavyweight world champion since Lennox Lewis in 1999.

READ MORE: Tommy Fury reveals stance on YouTube fights amid Jake Paul rematch clause

Here is all of the latest we know currently ahead of one of the biggest heavyweight fights in years.

When and where is Fury vs Usyk?

The fight has been pencilled in for Saturday, April 29 at Wembley Stadium in London, with details reported in February. However, no official announcement has been made on these terms from their respective promoters.

What is the current state of negotiations?

Negotiations have not been smooth sailing, with Fury being accused of making unreasonable demands to make the fight. Usyk has publicly announced his intention to accept Fury's offer of a 70:30 purse split, with Fury now stipulating that there should be no rematch clause for the contest.

This has delayed the announcement despite Fury having entered into his training camp for the fight, while saying on social media: 'I've been speaking to the lawyers today and Usyk's people are talking about rematch clauses and all the b****cks.

"Here's one to up the ante, how about there is no f***ing rematch clause for both of us, let's up the ante completely." He added. "Never worry about what's in the future and how many dollars you can get after you've been defeated."

This has led to Usyk's promoter Alexander Krassuyk of accusing the 'greedy' Fury of stalling, he said: "As Usyk said, the greedy belly (Fury) is still hoping to find a way to pull out. We knew before and know it now,' said Usyk's promoter Alex Krassyuk.

"As soon as Usyk accepts a no rematch clause there will still be searching for another thing to find and pull out the fight." He continued. "I tell you why. He bluffed and Usyk called his bluff. This is 100 per cent. He didn't expect Usyk to accept 70/30.

'It's all about nothing. He's not prepared and scared to fight. He will try to find a way to avoid Usyk for as long as possible. We don't trust him, we don't believe him.''

The delays have also caused problems for sanctioning bodies, with Daniel Dubios having had his status as mandatory challenger in the WBA division deferred to allow the fight to take place. However, it appears patience is running thin, with the WBA President Gilberto J Mendoza setting a deadline of April 1st before Usyk is ordered to face WBA (Regular) world champion Dubois.

He tweeted: "Usyk v. Fury update: @WBABoxing deadline to receive signed bout contracts is April 1st. Otherwise the Dubois mandatory negotiations will be ordered."

With no announcement yet, it will be a tense run up to the deadline, with the small matter of getting 90,000+ fans to Wembley Stadium in the space of less than a month. The decision to make the contest remains firmly in Fury's hands and boxing fans will hope that a decision is reached to see what is sure to be a memorable and legacy affirming contest.

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